Our kitchen got a little update! Nothing too drastic, but updated.
What's kinda funny is we were originally going to granite countertops. Those were quoted at $4,000. Uh, no. Plan B... Laminate & butcher block, plus doing it ourselves. The grand total of the entire kitchen update - new counters, new fridge, new flooring, new sink, paint, and one VERY exhausting weekend - $1,500.
The new stainless steel fridge was off of Craigslist (thanks random lady who bought a brand new fridge, made her husband move it in, and then decided she wanted a different new fridge instead. !!!). Worked out for us! :)
Lessons learned:
1. Glad we were able to do it ourselves, but it's worth it to have a professional install counter tops. No house is perfectly square. Ours was built in the early 90's and we only have the one L-shaped counter top... and that still took ALL DAY with that so-called 90 degree angle. If you're installing anything other than laminate or butcher block, absolutely pay a professional. Most places won't let you purchase natural counter tops without an installation.
2. Butcher block is super easy. If it's done throughout the kitchen though, do your research on how to finish it. It's very important, especially if you're installing it where it'll have exposure to moisture (sink). Ours is only around the stove, so a little food-safe mineral oil worked perfectly. We used Howard's Butcher Block Conditioner (Home Depot), which is a food-grade mineral oil/beeswax. It works great.
Lessons learned:
1. Glad we were able to do it ourselves, but it's worth it to have a professional install counter tops. No house is perfectly square. Ours was built in the early 90's and we only have the one L-shaped counter top... and that still took ALL DAY with that so-called 90 degree angle. If you're installing anything other than laminate or butcher block, absolutely pay a professional. Most places won't let you purchase natural counter tops without an installation.
2. Butcher block is super easy. If it's done throughout the kitchen though, do your research on how to finish it. It's very important, especially if you're installing it where it'll have exposure to moisture (sink). Ours is only around the stove, so a little food-safe mineral oil worked perfectly. We used Howard's Butcher Block Conditioner (Home Depot), which is a food-grade mineral oil/beeswax. It works great.
Before:
After:
And some durings. Smashing tile at 7am was almost better than coffee! Almost.
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